I2i6 Home Nature-Study Course. 



used in medicine as a remedy for indigestion and nervousness. Its seeds contain 

 oil which is also used in perfumes and for table purposes in place of olive oil. The 

 Russian peasant makes his shoes of the tough inner bark and they are far more 

 lasting than those made of leather; mats, fish-nets and ropes are also made of 

 this strong fiber. Before the use of raffia came in to replace it, American nur- 

 serymen were accustomed to grow a thicket of basswood saplings to obtain 

 their tying material which they called "bast," and from this word the tree gets 

 its common name of basswood. In Europe it is often called the lime-tree; 

 it is also called whitewood from the color of its wood, which is white or pale buff, 

 smooth, fine-grained and free from knots, soft and easy to work but very tough 

 and lasting in use. 



In "The Wonderful One-hoss Shay 



That lasted a hundred years to a day, 

 * * * * * * ** * 

 The panels were whitewood that cuts like cheese, 

 But lasts like iron for things like these." 



Though so soft, the smooth white wood is very hard to split and does not warp 

 or check, so it is very popular with wood-carvers and turners. It stains readily 

 and takes a fine polish, so that it is much used in the manufacture of furniture 

 and carriage bodies, and is sawed into veneers for the covering of coarser and 

 less tractable material. 



Lesson XXXIX 



THE LEAVES 



Observations by Pupils: 



(i). Do the Linden leaves grow opposite each other or alternately 

 on the twigs? Do they unfold early or late in the spring? 



(2). Describe the shape and size of the leaf. How does its width 

 compare with its length and what is the shape of its base and tip? Is 

 it symmetrical ; that is, are the parts on either side of the mid-rib about 

 equal when folded together? Is its edge entire or toothed? 



(3). Is the leaf -stem or petiole long or short, round or angled, and 

 is it swollen at the point of attachment to the blade or twig? 



(4). Taste the thickened part of the petiole. Is the sap thick and 

 sweet like mucilage? Do you think if you were lost in the forest, and 

 could find fresh basswood leaves, that you would need to starve? 



(5). Do the veins differ much in color from the rest of the leaf? Have 

 they branches on both sides or only toward one side of the leaf? What 

 are the little yellowish brown dots at the angles of the veins? 



(6). How does the Linden hold its leaves? Does the sunlight easily 

 penetrate the foliage or does the tree give a dense shade? 



(7). What is the color of the autumn foliage? Do the leaves fall 

 early or cling till late in the fall? 



